What is quality assurance
RAL quality assurance RAL-GZ 716 is a marking instrument designed to ensure the quality of PVC window profile systems and their system components. To this end, the Gütegemeinschaft Kunststoff-Fensterprofilsysteme has established quality and test requirements (QTR). Manufacturers wishing to obtain the quality mark undertake to have their products and associated manufacturing processes regularly monitored by authorized inspection bodies.
Quality assurance covers the entire value chain of PVC window profile systems: from the raw material through the components to the profile system. This provides consumers, window manufacturers and specifiers with assurance that the window profile systems, including components such as gaskets, adhesives and films, comply with the requirements defined in the Quality and Test Requirements and are subject to regular monitoring. For more about the requirements for quality assurance and membership of the Gütegemeinschaft, please refer to the statutes of our association.
Quality mark
The RAL quality mark for PVC window profile systems is a recognized quality label. A product carrying this mark meets all the requirements laid down in the Quality and Test Requirements of the RAL Gütegemeinschaft Kunststoff-Fensterprofilsysteme. These requirements extend beyond those set out in the relevant standards. For this reason, quality marks are often used as a reference in procurement and specification processes and can provide additional guidance for project stakeholders. Quality assurance basically includes an initial inspection and ongoing external monitoring of the system.Quality assurance basically includes an initial inspection and ongoing external monitoring of the system. For the components used within the system, this includes initial testing, regular factory production control by the manufacturer and independent external monitoring by an accredited inspection body.
Quality features
All quality-determining features of a PVC window profile system are designed for long-term usability. This means that even after 40 years and longer, window frames are usually fully functional.
To demonstrate suitability for continued use in the initial type test, the following requirements are set and tested:
- the content of the system description;
- the performance characteristics of adhesives used in bonded systems;
- the compatibility of components in bonded and laminated systems;
- functionality and watertightness of test windows at maximum dimensions;
- characteristics such as thermal performance, burglar resistance, sound insulation and ventilation properties;
- the use of quality-assured components in the quality-assured profile system.
In addition, further characteristics – including emission-related criteria for indoor environments and the environmental properties of the PVC window profile systems – are incorporated into the quality assurance assessment framework. These are listed in the table of contents of RAL-GZ 716 (German only).
The Guetegemeinschaft has produced an information sheet to clarify the distinction between RAL-GZ 716 and the Technical Appendix on the one hand, and the requirements of the standard on the other. You can access both RAL-GZ 716 and this information sheet by clicking on the images on the right.
RAL – Deutsches Institut für Gütesicherung und Kennzeichnung
The concept of voluntary quality assurance has existed since the foundation of RAL in 1925. The quality associations work together with businesses, institutes and experts to formulate their quality and test requirements in accordance with the RAL statutes and regulations. As part of a recognition procedure, these are assessed and recognised by independent technical and official bodies throughout Germany. In addition to the Bundesamt für Materialforschung, they include test institutes, associations and experts in the field. Detailed information on RAL quality assurance can be found on the RAL website, th brochure RAL Quality Assurance System and under “sustainability considerations for PVC windows as a construction product”.
The 80 seconds video summarizes the system of the RAL Quality Mark:
